Re: confused again

February 18, 2003

S--The resurfacing they are putting down is the only resurfacing they

are familiar with. The Wagner and the Townley device were two peas in

a pod. The failure rate was about 60% at 5-6 years due to osteolysis.

That's pretty bad numbers but poyethylene in the 70's was to blame.

Of the surgeons I talked with, two of which had installed the Townley

from Depuy, they were both disillusioned with the idea. At the point

that I spoke with each of them, I failed to distinguish between that

and " metal on metal " resurfacing.

I have since spoken with one (did some roof repairs on his building).

He was interested in mom resurf, said it sounded like a viable

alternative.

I don't think the " failure rate so bad " belongs to our resurf. You're

on the right track. I think I would still try some other offices

beside JRI before I went to Belgium. It sure would be nice to have

insurance cover it. I haven't got unlimited funds. This bad hip

nearly made me a dependent not the breadwinner.

And it doesn't seem that JRI gives a rip whether they are paid cash

or insurance money. Heck lots of times insurance co's negotiate a

lesser rate for the same procedure. Given their track record on

getting (not getting) coverage, it would be wise to shop around, you

might be surprised.

Cap A

> I just returned from the appt with my original OS ..who in short

told

> me I was insane for considering to travel to Belgium to get an

> operation that has a failure rate so bad that that is why the

> insurance companies wont cover the claims .and blah blah blah..he

> totally tried to disillusion me and was very un-supportive..Im

really

> upset but still feel that I should share so that I can

> hear ..comments..Anyone out there been there? my motive was to

rely

> on him for my aftercare..Im feeling really confused about this..

> He said alot of terrrible stuff to Promote THR and imply that BHR

is

> a silly idea...Ok so there must be some of you that has come up

> against this resistance?Or is it only in CA.

> Im scheduled for BHR in Belgium on the 11th of March...

> Sagliettigirl

February 18, 2003

<< -bose.vijay@... >>

thank you so much i am writing him today....thanks again

February 18, 2003

<< -bose.vijay@... >>

thank you so much i am writing him today....thanks again

February 18, 2003

<< -bose.vijay@... >>

thank you so much i am writing him today....thanks again

February 18, 2003

Take it with a big grain of salt. I asked my knee doctor (great fellow) who

gave the best hip replacements he knew in the area. He mulled for a bit and

gave me a name (Dr. X we'll call it), but told me " you won't like this

guy. " I made my appointment and as I chatted with Dr. X, it gradually

became clearer to me that he was a real Bible-thumping fundamentalist. As

far as he was concerned, he was on Earth to fix what God screwed up (almost

a direct quote). It got progressively weirder because of the unmistakable

overtones of faith healing plus his conviction that (as I was one of his

younger prospective patients) God had sent me to him specifically. He ended

with the astonishingly arrogant statement that he alone would be able to

fix me. I should have been tipped off because the only reading material in

the waiting room was any of several copies of a rather racey new

translation of the Bible.

You just never know what motivates people. I don't have anything against

the Dr. X's religious views, but I'm pretty sure he violates the

commandment against false idols on account of his own ego!

FYI my knee doctor did the follow-up since he was genuinely interested in

the procedure. Any GP can do it. The just need to take an x-ray or two and

give you a referral to a physio-therapist. Make sure the physio treats it

like it was a hip dislocation rather than a THR or they will severely

restrict your rehab.

Good luck,

-- J

rBHR Aug. 1, 2001

Mr. McMinn

On 02/17/2003 10:03:48 pm " sagliettigirl " wrote:

>I just returned from the appt with my original OS ..who in short told

>me I was insane for considering to travel to Belgium to get an

>operation that has a failure rate so bad that that is why the

>insurance companies wont cover the claims .and blah blah blah..he

>totally tried to disillusion me and was very un-supportive..Im really

>upset but still feel that I should share so that I can

>hear ..comments..Anyone out there been there? my motive was to rely

>on him for my aftercare..Im feeling really confused about this..

>He said alot of terrrible stuff to Promote THR and imply that BHR is

>a silly idea...Ok so there must be some of you that has come up

>against this resistance?Or is it only in CA.

>Im scheduled for BHR in Belgium on the 11th of March...

>Sagliettigirl

>

February 18, 2003

Oh - I'd bet a quarter that as soon as the FDA has approved

the C+ and C2K devices; that your good OS will join the ranks of

resurf surgeons!! I'll bet a bunch of them will - I know Dr Mont,

and probably many of the other resurf docs, are talking to groups of

surgeons about the procedure right now.

In my mind, it would take a truly generous and caring surgeon to

approve a procedure that isn't putting a pile of money in his

pockets. A rare bird, indeed.

Personally - I don't ask the " salesman " about an engine problem with

my car - I want the guy with the grease on his hands

Sagliettisgirl's OS may be a surgeon; but in the world of resurfs -

he's the " washboy " LOL!

Best wishes! Deb

> I'm really sorry your original OS took that standpoint. Maybe you

could

> contact a resurf. manufacture rep. and get a referral. I will add

that my

> original OS (Dr. Stocks in Houston) was 100% for my

upcoming resurf.

> even though he doesn't do the procedure. He fully supported me,

and the

> procedure, agreeing to tend to my after care and going further to

say if I

> needed anything prior to surgery, to please give him a call. I

think it's

> interesting to note Dr. Stocks specializes in hip surgeries for

young adults.

> You can do a google search on him to read his bio.

>

> The interesting thing I point out is that even though he doesn't

do resurf.,

> it certainly appears that he is fully supportive of the new

procedure. When

> I decided on resurf., I was concerned that I wouldn't have Dr.

Stocks as my

> doctor anymore. He's a fabulous guy and I'm glad I found him.

However, I

> have a sneaking suspicion that Dr. Stocks is in the process of

training for

> the procedure. Truly just a guess though.

>

> I know this doesn't help you much in your quest for your follow-up

care, but

> I just wanted to let you know that there are surgeons out there

that will

> help and I certainly hope you can find one.

>

> Take care,

>

February 18, 2003

Oh - I'd bet a quarter that as soon as the FDA has approved

the C+ and C2K devices; that your good OS will join the ranks of

resurf surgeons!! I'll bet a bunch of them will - I know Dr Mont,

and probably many of the other resurf docs, are talking to groups of

surgeons about the procedure right now.

In my mind, it would take a truly generous and caring surgeon to

approve a procedure that isn't putting a pile of money in his

pockets. A rare bird, indeed.

Personally - I don't ask the " salesman " about an engine problem with

my car - I want the guy with the grease on his hands

Sagliettisgirl's OS may be a surgeon; but in the world of resurfs -

he's the " washboy " LOL!

Best wishes! Deb

> I'm really sorry your original OS took that standpoint. Maybe you

could

> contact a resurf. manufacture rep. and get a referral. I will add

that my

> original OS (Dr. Stocks in Houston) was 100% for my

upcoming resurf.

> even though he doesn't do the procedure. He fully supported me,

and the

> procedure, agreeing to tend to my after care and going further to

say if I

> needed anything prior to surgery, to please give him a call. I

think it's

> interesting to note Dr. Stocks specializes in hip surgeries for

young adults.

> You can do a google search on him to read his bio.

>

> The interesting thing I point out is that even though he doesn't

do resurf.,

> it certainly appears that he is fully supportive of the new

procedure. When

> I decided on resurf., I was concerned that I wouldn't have Dr.

Stocks as my

> doctor anymore. He's a fabulous guy and I'm glad I found him.

However, I

> have a sneaking suspicion that Dr. Stocks is in the process of

training for

> the procedure. Truly just a guess though.

>

> I know this doesn't help you much in your quest for your follow-up

care, but

> I just wanted to let you know that there are surgeons out there

that will

> help and I certainly hope you can find one.

>

> Take care,

>

February 18, 2003

The one who is confused is your OS. The information he is giving you

is very wrong. Where are all these " failures " he is talking about?

If it is " insane " to go to Belgium, why are there so many delighted

surfers singing De Smet's praises?

I live in Calif. I made the trip last year, and it's probably one of

the best decisions I ever made.

Schiller

BHR 3/12/02 De Smet

> I just returned from the appt with my original OS ..who in short

told

> me I was insane for considering to travel to Belgium to get an

> operation that has a failure rate so bad that that is why the

> insurance companies wont cover the claims .and blah blah blah..he

> totally tried to disillusion me and was very un-supportive..Im

really

> upset but still feel that I should share so that I can

> hear ..comments..Anyone out there been there? my motive was to

rely

> on him for my aftercare..Im feeling really confused about this..

> He said alot of terrrible stuff to Promote THR and imply that BHR

is

> a silly idea...Ok so there must be some of you that has come up

> against this resistance?Or is it only in CA.

> Im scheduled for BHR in Belgium on the 11th of March...

> Sagliettigirl

February 18, 2003

The one who is confused is your OS. The information he is giving you

is very wrong. Where are all these " failures " he is talking about?

If it is " insane " to go to Belgium, why are there so many delighted

surfers singing De Smet's praises?

I live in Calif. I made the trip last year, and it's probably one of

the best decisions I ever made.

Schiller

BHR 3/12/02 De Smet

> I just returned from the appt with my original OS ..who in short

told

> me I was insane for considering to travel to Belgium to get an

> operation that has a failure rate so bad that that is why the

> insurance companies wont cover the claims .and blah blah blah..he

> totally tried to disillusion me and was very un-supportive..Im

really

> upset but still feel that I should share so that I can

> hear ..comments..Anyone out there been there? my motive was to

rely

> on him for my aftercare..Im feeling really confused about this..

> He said alot of terrrible stuff to Promote THR and imply that BHR

is

> a silly idea...Ok so there must be some of you that has come up

> against this resistance?Or is it only in CA.

> Im scheduled for BHR in Belgium on the 11th of March...

> Sagliettigirl

February 18, 2003

Dear,

when my physician asked me to go in for surgery

i consulted a couple of ortho-surgeons who asked me to

go for THR.the theatre was booked and the date was

fixed(for THR).

about a month before the surgery i came to

know about BHR and decided to travel to

Chennai(INDIA)to find out more as there is only one OS

practising BHR in India.he too had performed only

25-30 surgeries till then.i was up against 10 OS

asking to go in for THR(all of high repute)and one

comparatively new guy asking me to go for BHR.it was

really confusing.

fortunately,i had asked my brother who is a

neuro-surgeon to come with me just because being a

medical person and that too a surgeon he would be able

to get the hang of things.i met Dr.Vijay Bose in

Chennai and was convinced.my brother thought that

there was nothing wrong with the type of surgery to be

performed.i went ahead with BHR.i walked with crutches

on the 3rd day and was driving cars n bikes within 4

weeks.i met DR.Bose for my first n last check-up in

november(six months post-op)and told him that i was

swimming for activity.he was very happy with my

progress but thought that along with swimming(very

important)i was fit enough to try rock climbing

martial arts, anything as tough.

i hope you have made up your mind for BHR.feel

free to share more information.could also get more

info from DR.bose---bose.vijay@... -- he is

a great guy.

gaurav

--- " sagliettigirl "

wrote:

---------------------------------

I just returned from the appt with my original OS

...who in short told

me I was insane for considering to travel to Belgium

to get an

operation that has a failure rate so bad that that is

why the

insurance companies wont cover the claims .and blah

blah blah..he

totally tried to disillusion me and was very

un-supportive..Im really

upset but still feel that I should share so that I can

hear ..comments..Anyone out there been there? my

motive was to rely

on him for my aftercare..Im feeling really confused

about this..

He said alot of terrrible stuff to Promote THR and

imply that BHR is

a silly idea...Ok so there must be some of you that

has come up

against this resistance?Or is it only in CA.

Im scheduled for BHR in Belgium on the 11th of

March...

Sagliettigirl

February 18, 2003

Dear,

when my physician asked me to go in for surgery

i consulted a couple of ortho-surgeons who asked me to

go for THR.the theatre was booked and the date was

fixed(for THR).

about a month before the surgery i came to

know about BHR and decided to travel to

Chennai(INDIA)to find out more as there is only one OS

practising BHR in India.he too had performed only

25-30 surgeries till then.i was up against 10 OS

asking to go in for THR(all of high repute)and one

comparatively new guy asking me to go for BHR.it was

really confusing.

fortunately,i had asked my brother who is a

neuro-surgeon to come with me just because being a

medical person and that too a surgeon he would be able

to get the hang of things.i met Dr.Vijay Bose in

Chennai and was convinced.my brother thought that

there was nothing wrong with the type of surgery to be

performed.i went ahead with BHR.i walked with crutches

on the 3rd day and was driving cars n bikes within 4

weeks.i met DR.Bose for my first n last check-up in

november(six months post-op)and told him that i was

swimming for activity.he was very happy with my

progress but thought that along with swimming(very

important)i was fit enough to try rock climbing

martial arts, anything as tough.

i hope you have made up your mind for BHR.feel

free to share more information.could also get more

info from DR.bose---bose.vijay@... -- he is

a great guy.

gaurav

--- " sagliettigirl "

wrote:

---------------------------------

I just returned from the appt with my original OS

...who in short told

me I was insane for considering to travel to Belgium

to get an

operation that has a failure rate so bad that that is

why the

insurance companies wont cover the claims .and blah

blah blah..he

totally tried to disillusion me and was very

un-supportive..Im really

upset but still feel that I should share so that I can

hear ..comments..Anyone out there been there? my

motive was to rely

on him for my aftercare..Im feeling really confused

about this..

He said alot of terrrible stuff to Promote THR and

imply that BHR is

a silly idea...Ok so there must be some of you that

has come up

against this resistance?Or is it only in CA.

Im scheduled for BHR in Belgium on the 11th of

March...

Sagliettigirl

February 19, 2003

Dear sagliettigirl,

I very rarely get here to read the posts anymore, I have my life

back IN FULL and honestly just no longer have the time. I did sneak

a peak here today and your note pulled my heart strings so I just

have to drop you a line.

I wish I could say I was shocked by the rude and arrogant attitudes

of some American OSs but I am not. Your 'original OS' is obviously

one very blatantly, uninformed and insecure physician. I wouldn't

give him the time of day, let alone waste another moment pondering

his stupid remarks.

I had my right hip resurfaced on November 12, 2002 by Dr. Koen De

Smet. I want to shout at the top of my lungs that this was THE MOST

INTELLIGENT DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!!! I had

AVN, Osteoarthritis, several nasty cysts, I was bone on bone, my

bones were extremely soft due to using NSAIDs for pain, I have a

very small femur, and I had Dysplasia. There is no way on this earth

I would have been resurfaced had I had the surgery here in the US,

but Dr. De Smet resurfaced me (in 45 minutes)….no problem.

Yes, I met many people who told me I was crazy before I left. You

know what? I can now dance, hop, run, or skip by them and give them

the one finger salute!

As far as the " after care thingy " I just want to ask you….for

what??? I don't know of ANY of Dr. De Smet's patients who needed ANY

kind of follow up care. He releases you in great condition ready to

go home and finish healing and to get on with your life.

I stopped using my crutches at 2 ½ weeks, could pull my knee to my

chest and trim my toenails and put on my socks on at 3 ½weeks, I

began walking about 4 to5 miles a day at 6 weeks, I can run up and

down stairs (I live in a 4 level home), work out on my bike and

NordicTrack, I have no limp, no pain, my scar is a lovely thin

fading line that wraps around my butt. My Physical Therapist has

discharged me because he can not tell ANY difference between my BHR

hip and my natural hip as far as range of motion, balance, strength

or flexibility.

I have my LIFE BACK and I thank God every single day for ever

meeting that amazing man, Dr. Koen De Smet!

My suggestion....forget everyone, go to Belgium and get your hip

fixed and your life back.

Lynda

rBHR - Dr. Koen De Smet - 11/12/02

> I just returned from the appt with my original OS ..who in short

told

> me I was insane for considering to travel to Belgium to get an

> operation that has a failure rate so bad that that is why the

> insurance companies wont cover the claims .and blah blah blah..he

> totally tried to disillusion me and was very un-supportive..Im

really

> upset but still feel that I should share so that I can

> hear ..comments..Anyone out there been there? my motive was to

rely

> on him for my aftercare..Im feeling really confused about this..

> He said alot of terrrible stuff to Promote THR and imply that BHR

is

> a silly idea...Ok so there must be some of you that has come up

> against this resistance?Or is it only in CA.

> Im scheduled for BHR in Belgium on the 11th of March...

> Sagliettigirl

February 19, 2003

Dear sagliettigirl,

I very rarely get to S.H. to read the posts anymore, I have my life